Release Radar: February 2025

At the end of each month, Afterglow presents a staff-picked list of new albums and singles that left a lasting impression on our ears. For Black History Month, we are highlighting Black artists with glowing releases in February. 

Written by Afterglow Staffers

Photos courtesy of Republic Records, Sani, and David Dickenson

Here are our favorite albums and singles released during February 2025. For more reviews of recent releases, check out our album review page!

SHINY SINGLES WE LOVED THIS MONTH:

“Praying For Your Downfall” by Jensen McRae

Jensen McRae’s dreamy vocals alongside vibrant acoustic guitar characterize the artist’s latest single, “Praying For Your Downfall.” A track about forgiveness and moving on, McRae earnestly confesses, “I can’t make nice, but I can make it make sense now,” finding peace after navigating a tumultuous relationship. The single builds anticipation for her upcoming second studio album, I Don’t Know How But They Found Me!, set for release on Apr. 25, 2025. — Claire Hookstra

“Valentine’s Day Freestyle ‘25” by JPEGMAFIA

According to rap provocateur JPEGMAFIA, he does not “know what he is going to do.” The alternative Hip-Hop superstar continues to beguile listeners with the surprise release, “Valentine’s Day Freestyle ‘25.” Betraying the high production of his 2023 album SCARING THE HOES, the track opts for laid-back, staccato verses reminiscent of early East Coast Hip-Hop. “Valentine’s Day Freestyle ‘25” speaks to JPEGMAFIA’s artistic versatility and ability to seamlessly weave through different genres. — Zachary Bolash

“Game I Can’t Win” by Charley Crockett

“Game I Can’t Win” is the second single from prolific country artist Charley Crockett’s upcoming album, Lonesome Drifter. Another honky-tonk hit, Crockett laments over the unwinnable game of dealing with “them boys in Nashville.” The “boys” in question are certain stubborn record producers who “can’t stand to see you free.” Flourishes of a pedal steel guitar and a banjo-filled second half drive the song to its spirited finish. — Joseph Gonzalez

“Pardon Me” by Joey Bada$$

After an almost two year hiatus from solo music, Joey Bada$$’ comeback with “Pardon Me” features sharp lyricism, smooth sampling, and a memorable chorus. Part of a three-track release, the song addresses the power dynamic between him and his critics, both apologizing for his absence and reaffirming his influence in the industry. Alluding to prominent cultural and historical figures like Marcus Garvey, a precursor to the Civil Rights Movement, Joey Bada$$ blends his ‘90s-inspired sounds with modern, socially aware storytelling. — Sarah David

GLOWING ALBUMS FROM THIS MONTH:

Hurry Up Tomorrow by The Weeknd

Photo courtesy of Republic Records

In 2020, The Weeknd’s hit “Blinding Lights” launched him into pop superstardom, taking its place as the best performing song in the history of the Billboard Hot 100. This success led to a trilogy of hypnagogic disco albums. His latest release, Hurry Up Tomorrow, revolutionizes The Weeknd's music. On the powerhouse single of "Open Hearts," dark, sleazy, and synth-heavy sounds reminiscent of his first mixtapes, Echoes of Silence and House of Balloons, combine with the upbeat, shimmering production of his 2020 banger, "Save Your Tears." The beguiling sound of “Open Hearts,” where upbeat tempos subvert grisly lyricism, manifests on another standout song, "Wake Me Up."  “Wake Me Up” threads the needle between The Weeknd's past and future. In this glitzy, synth-pop track, the singer grapples with the grim realities of fame: "All I have is my legacy / I been losing my memory / No afterlife, no other side / I'm all alone when it fades to black." "Cry For Me," the third track on Hurry Up Tomorrow, sonically diverges from the previous tracks. The synths deepen and intensify as The Weeknd's falsetto floats over, eliciting a desperate effect in the Weeknd's declarations that he "Hope[s] that you still cry for me / Like I cry for you." These lyrics strike a stark difference to the gritty vibe exuded by the tracks “Wake Me Up” and “Open Hearts.” “ Hurry Up Tomorrow cements The Weeknd’s artistic legacy while offering a funky take on his signature sound. The album acts as the Weeknd's grand finale, rife with the highs and lows of the R&B artist's prolific career; this album is aptly Abel Tesfaye's last project under The Weeknd moniker. — Zachary Bolash

Support The Weeknd on Spotify and Apple Music

OFF BEAT by Kaelin Ellis

“This is for the ones that wanna hear just the beats, just the vibes,” the distorted voice of Kaelin Ellis declares in the introduction — aptly titled “intro” — to his latest album, OFF BEAT. A rising star in Hip-Hop production, Ellis expertly crafts a spaced-out, rhythmically complex mix of funk and jazztronica into a seamless sonic experience. The album title references its unpredictable rhythms and eclectic, multifaceted combination of sounds. The opening track, “td8,” sets the tone for the record with delayed, jazzy drums and hypnotic synth chords. However, some songs have a more straightforward beat, like “ee.” Rhythmic guitar and horn breaks complement this funk-inspired song, accompanied by a catchy keyboard riff. The jazz-based side of the album is shown off in tracks like “morning routine” and “questions,” where syncopated jazz chords and drums compliment each other. OFF BEAT as a whole is guided by the beat, which often is very prominent in the mix. This is evident in “readiness comes in time,” where the beat intentionally overpowers the other instruments. A highlight on the album is “resolution,” a smooth blend of elegant acoustic guitar and confident, wandering drums. OFF BEAT wraps up on a thematically fitting note with “it’ll be okay.” The delayed chords of the keys clash with the drum beat in this mellow closer. This compact yet complex album showcases Ellis’ advanced rhythmic instincts and affirms his limitless potential. — Joseph Gonzalez

Support Kaelin Ellis on Spotify and Apple Music

Image courtesy of Kaelin Ellis

#mia by skaiwater

Image courtesy of Good Talk/Capitol Records

Providing an alternative take on vamp and opium rap, Tyler Ryan Lee Jordan Brooks, known professionally as skaiwater, embellishes their sophomore album with bass-heavy beats and powerful vocal textures. The rapper-producer from Nottingham, UK, experiments with genre-bending hyperpop sounds and their signature staccato-like rhythms that bring the album together through a journey of provocative obsession. With eight tracks in total, #mia — meaning “manic in America” — dives into a story of love and addiction. The eight-track project opens with “pop,” released on SoundCloud last June. “pop” features skaiwater’s classic, upbeat autotune delivery contrasted with gothic vamp themes of drug addiction and reckless love, with lyrics like “Yeah, I let the whole hood down, take the X-A-N-A-X to my face / Yeah, I let the whole hood down if I can't come back home with you.” Tracks like “maria” and “ur song” showcase classic vamp elements of distorted, gothic rage beats and ballad-like introductions, while “wolf (Ft. RADA)” — the only song on the album with a feature — addresses the complexities of drug addiction and emotional turmoil. Subsequently, “You don’t feel the same” characterizes the artist’s struggle with personal demons and escapism through an upbeat back track and vocals. The album closes with the melancholic title track, “manicinamerica,” balancing electronic sound with somber vocals. Lyrics like “I think Mia is my dark side and I think I should let her speak / I should let her be” and “Can I eat your heart?” highlight skaiwater’s introspective, emotional perspective that differentiates them from conventional rap themes.  — Sarah David

Support skaiwater on Spotify and Apple Music Apple Music